Abstract
Summary
The influence of a sublethal, hypnotic dose of ethanol on metabolism of serotonin was investigated in the mouse. Thirty minutes after intraperitoneal injection of 4.5 g/kg of ethanol, mice were administered 160 mg/kg of serotonin intraperitoneally. At various intervals after the serotonin dose, the whole animal and its excreta were homogenized and analyzed for serotonin, 5-HIAA, and total 5-hydroxyindole compounds. The results clearly demonstrated that alcohol exerted an appreciable inhibitory effect on metabolism of serotonin and depressed its biotransformation via oxidation and conjugation. The enzymatic, toxicologic, and neuropharmacologic implications are discussed.
The author expresses his gratitude to CDR Jack W. Millar, MC, USN for encouragement and generous support, and to Charles E. Wilson for able and enthusiastic technical assistance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.